The Cincinnati Bengals officially kicked off training camp on Saturday as rookies reported, but not everyone showed up. Notably absent were the team’s first-round pick Shemar Stewart and second-round selection Demetrius Knight, both of whom remain unsigned amid contract negotiations.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed Saturday morning that Stewart, a highly touted pass rusher expected to play a key role in the Bengals’ defensive plans, was still not in attendance. As Schefter noted, Stewart is now the last remaining unsigned first-rounder from the 2026 NFL Draft class.
Also missing is Knight, the Bengals’ second-round pick. His absence mirrors a broader trend among second-rounders league-wide this offseason, where many rookies held out longer than usual as they negotiated for more guaranteed money. While a wave of recent signings has brought that standoff closer to resolution, Knight and the Bengals still haven’t reached an agreement.
The situation creates a bit of a rocky start to what is otherwise a high-expectation season for Cincinnati. With Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins locked in on offense, the pressure has shifted to the defense, and Stewart, in particular, is expected to play a major role in bolstering the pass rush.
For now, the tone is less than ideal. Two of the team’s most important young pieces remain unsigned as training camp begins, a distraction the Bengals would have preferred to avoid. While there’s still time to reach a deal, each day missed is a day of valuable reps lost.